OPENING & CLOSING THE JOINTS TO IMPROVE CIRCULATION
In this series of pictures I demonstrate the key openings and closings of Tai Chi vertical circling hands, which is a great technique for exploring bending & stretching plus the opening & closing of the joints. This exercise also serves as the foundation for the medical Qigong set Marriage of Heaven & Earth.
The better we can co-ordinate the opening and closing of the joints the more we can circulate the vital fluids of the body and Qi. The joints act like gates and connect with each other like power transformers, allowing electricity to flow. Blockages cause the flow to become sluggish and slow. What I like about this exercise is that it is easy to learn and people can begin the process of unbinding tension through the movements to get the juices moving more freely.
The better we can co-ordinate the opening and closing of the joints the more we can circulate the vital fluids of the body and Qi. The joints act like gates and connect with each other like power transformers, allowing electricity to flow. Blockages cause the flow to become sluggish and slow. What I like about this exercise is that it is easy to learn and people can begin the process of unbinding tension through the movements to get the juices moving more freely.
Step 1 - Start in a natural posture. Feet a shoulder width apart
Step 2 - Sink your weight into your heels as you bend your knees and elbows
Step 3 - Close your elbows as you continue to bend
Step 4 - Begin to transfer your weight toward your heels - Feel the elbow joints open and arms stretch
Step 5 - Continue to lengthen your arms and continue to open the elbows, wrists, palms and extend all the way out to your fingers
Step 6 - As you reach the top of the stretch make sure you havn't locked the joints through over extension.
Step 7 - Begin to sink your weight back towards your heels. Whilst bending your knees, begin to close the elbow joints
nd feel the blood and energy moving down from your finger tips, through the palm, wrists and down towards your elbow.
Step 8 - Sink deeper with your elbows progressively closing towards your body. Avoid closing completely, keep space under your armpits. Absorb into your core and spine.
Step 9 - The bending and condensing phase is almost complete. Avoid closing your throat as you curve the spine (bend the bow)
Step 10 - Start to open and stretch your body. Shifting the weight towards the balls of your feet and engaging your pelvis to elongate the spine and open the joints in the arms and legs.
Step 11 - Gently lift from the crown of the head and let your shoulders sink and arms lengthen.
Step 12 - Feel the elbows, wrists, palms and fingers open and feel the blood and Qi flowing freely through your arms.
Practice this exercise 10-20 times to fully engage the opening and closing of the joints and release of tension from the body
Step 2 - Sink your weight into your heels as you bend your knees and elbows
Step 3 - Close your elbows as you continue to bend
Step 4 - Begin to transfer your weight toward your heels - Feel the elbow joints open and arms stretch
Step 5 - Continue to lengthen your arms and continue to open the elbows, wrists, palms and extend all the way out to your fingers
Step 6 - As you reach the top of the stretch make sure you havn't locked the joints through over extension.
Step 7 - Begin to sink your weight back towards your heels. Whilst bending your knees, begin to close the elbow joints
nd feel the blood and energy moving down from your finger tips, through the palm, wrists and down towards your elbow.
Step 8 - Sink deeper with your elbows progressively closing towards your body. Avoid closing completely, keep space under your armpits. Absorb into your core and spine.
Step 9 - The bending and condensing phase is almost complete. Avoid closing your throat as you curve the spine (bend the bow)
Step 10 - Start to open and stretch your body. Shifting the weight towards the balls of your feet and engaging your pelvis to elongate the spine and open the joints in the arms and legs.
Step 11 - Gently lift from the crown of the head and let your shoulders sink and arms lengthen.
Step 12 - Feel the elbows, wrists, palms and fingers open and feel the blood and Qi flowing freely through your arms.
Practice this exercise 10-20 times to fully engage the opening and closing of the joints and release of tension from the body